Project RISHI @ UCLA
how we work
Project RISHI at UCLA is dedicated to sustainability, equal stakes partnership, cultural responsibility, and a multi-level approach.
step 2: Understand
The group connects directly with people in the area, listening to their experiences and needs. They engage with local organizations, experts, and officials to gain insight and test whether their approach is realistic and culturally appropriate
step 3: Implement
Once the plan is shaped, the team shares it with supporters and partners. With guidance from local collaborators, they roll out the project and adapt as needed to ensure it creates lasting benefits.
step 1: Research
A small, multidisciplinary team comes together around a shared cause. They explore the issue, investigate existing efforts, and choose a community or region where their work can make the most difference.
Our methodology is rooted in the Social-Ecological Model, focusing on understanding, implementing, financing, and researching initiatives, while evaluating throughout to ensure effectiveness and relevance in the communities we serve.
RISHI members have the opportunity to participate in our annual one-to-two-week-long India Trip, where we implement, oversee, and evaluate our ongoing initiatives while identifying any new areas of priority for future impact. During each trip, we aim to strengthen relationships with community partners, supplement our year-round initiatives with on-grounds work, and provide members exposure to invaluable global health field work experience.
In the past, our initiatives have included annual medical and eye camps to screen patients and distribute resources such as eyeglasses, a student-led Photovoice storytelling workshop, water quality testing, secondary school educational interventions, community mural painting, and needs assessments.
